CoC Bloody Bucket campaign (completed)

[Marine0846]

Great photos.
Thanks.
I did not think to use Google earth.
I have used it at other times.

[TacticalPainter]

This is the second German attack of Turn 6 on the Outskirts of Consthum. The Germans were successful in their first attack of the turn, but could they repeat their success here? This one packed quite a surprise and more than a few cinematic moments. The full AAR is here: https://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2021/03/bloody-bucket-campaign-turn-6-scenario_26.html

[brunei35]

Thanks for the AAR, excellent as usual. A quick question if I may. If the 'jeep' had driven off the table whilst panicked would it have dropped the German moral? Not seen that before so no idea and rules not to hand.

Thanks
Tony

[TacticalPainter]

Thanks for the AAR, excellent as usual. A quick question if I may. If the 'jeep' had driven off the table whilst panicked would it have dropped the German moral? Not seen that before so no idea and rules not to hand.

Thanks
Tony

I don’t believe there is a specific rule to cover it. We play that if a unit breaks and they end up moving far enough off the table then that unit is considered to have routed and if applicable that would initiate a morale check. In this case we would probably have done something similar, the driver’s panic constituted something close to a rout. The jeep and occupants could not return to the table so for all intents and purposes the unit is ‘lost’ to the platoon just as if it had routed. One could assume its disappearance would have the same dispiriting impact on the platoon.

[Hu Rhu]

Great write up in the AAR and I agree about the cinematic events with the jeep. Too bad it couldn't prevent the Americans deploying but a very dramatic end.

[vodkafan]

Brilliant stuff. Like a four wheeled Forlorn Hope. I wonder if the Germans in the jeep were all volunteers.

[brunei35]

I don’t believe there is a specific rule to cover it. We play that if a unit breaks and they end up moving far enough off the table then that unit is considered to have routed and if applicable that would initiate a morale check. In this case we would probably have done something similar, the driver’s panic constituted something close to a rout. The jeep and occupants could not return to the table so for all intents and purposes the unit is ‘lost’ to the platoon just as if it had routed. One could assume its disappearance would have the same dispiriting impact on the platoon.

Thanks for the clarification, appreciated

[gamer Mac]

Cracking report of a very unusal game

[Mindenbrush]

Great campaign and excellent write ups 👍

[Marine0846]

Lots of fun reading about the jeep.
Thanks for sharing.

[TacticalPainter]

Deja vu for the Volksgrenadiers as they make their third attempt to dislodge the Americans from the crossroads on Skyline Drive. It's a tough table to attack with much open ground but we now enter the second day of the campaign and the German support levels increase even further. Can this heroic American platoon hold out once more? The full AAR is here: https://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2021/04/bloody-bucket-campaign-turn-7-scenario.html

[Hu Rhu]

Very cat and mouse game, with both sides unwilling to risk taking heavy casualties.

[vodkafan]

I think the Americans did their best against the overwhelming odds. The use of the CoC dice was a tiny bit "gamey" for me  (or it would have been more so if it had worked) but it's in the rules I guess, the way it played out with the bazooka team getting caught in the open was completely reasonable though.

[TacticalPainter]

I think the Americans did their best against the overwhelming odds. The use of the CoC dice was a tiny bit "gamey" for me  (or it would have been more so if it had worked) but it's in the rules I guess, the way it played out with the bazooka team getting caught in the open was completely reasonable though.

I understand how it can be seen that way. The ‘turn end’ is seen as one of those pauses in the action that occur, often for no obvious reason. I saw it as the Americans waiting patiently for the right moment, sensing a lull in the action and a chance to catch the Germans off their guard. A CoC die is a valuable thing and could have had several other uses, so I consider their use part of the tactical thinking of the platoon lieutenant. Someone on the lookout for the best opportunity to act.

In terms of the game’s narrative, the Germans have yet to spot any Americans, they may well have paused for a moment to consider what is happening or confer. I see use of the CoC die as the American commander seeing this happen, seizing the moment and telling the bazooka team that now is the time to surprise the Panther. Similarly the German use of the same is their commander being more alert to the situation than his men and making a rapid response to the ambush. I think it makes a plausible narrative. A CoC die is a valuable thing, to be used as an additional tactical asset, deciding when and how it can improve you performance is a key decision in the game.

[MaleGriffin]

Nicely done!